Alpinestars Turns 50, Launches 2013 Spring Collection
Founded in 1963, Alpinestars marks a half-century of high performance apparel this year. Named after the Stella Alpina mountain flower, Alpinestars got its start manufacturing ski and hiking boots. The company’s first motorcycle footwear, introduced in 1965, were MX boots bedecked with innovations. With 5-time World Motocross champion Roger Decoster’s stamp of approval Alpinestars earned global recognition. From there Alpinestars diversified in to road racing and is now a recognized leader in a variety of sporting disciplines.
Although Alpinestars has not yet introduced any special 50th anniversary gear or apparel the company did give Motorcycle.com a preview of its 2013 spring collection. The collection includes new as well as updated products from casual riding sneakers to one-piece leather suits and everything in between. Here’s a few that caught our eye as well as a list of Alpinestars’ entire spring offering.
Priced at a very affordable $250, the adventure-touring Andes jacket is constructed of reinforced poly-fabric textile and Alpinestars’ DRYSTAR waterproof and breathable fabric. The jacket boasts features such as zippered shoulder air intakes and back exhaust vents for internal climate control and chest and back pad compartments with poly-foam padding. For another $230 you can purchase the matching Andes pants and own an all-weather touring suit for less than $500.
A first for Alpinestars is the color green on one of its leather jackets. According to Alpinestars’, Nic Sims, the company refused to use green because the pigment compromised the leather’s integrity making it less able to protect a wearer from abrasion. Alpinestars has learned the way maintain the leather’s integrity regardless the pigment used and for $450 not only can you own Alpinestars’ first green leather jacket, the Jaws also features 1.3 mm leather construction, removable CE-certified Bio-Armor in the shoulders and elbows and a removable thermal vest.
Joey Canvas & Waterproof Shoes
These urban-styled high tops are constructed from a breathable canvas material for warm weather riding. A reinforced internal toe and heel ramp up the safety features. The waterproof Joeys are constructed of a wax treated suede on the outside with a waterproof lining on the inside. Standard Joeys retail for $140 while waterproof versions are $160.
Renee Leather & Textile Jacket
For the ladies Alpinestars’s Renee jacket incorporates protective features and abrasion padding in a fashionable, female-specific design. Supple and durable full-grain leather on sleeves and shoulders is joined with indigo denim (Black version) or reinforced poly-fabric textile (Champagne version). Both versions come with removable CE-certified elbow and shoulder protectors. Pricing for the denim jacket is $370 while the champagne poly-fabric version lists for $400.
Other items in the spring collection include:
A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.
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